World Series Analysis

In a series that pits two teams with displeasing histories, the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets begin their World Series matchup on Tuesday. Following Kansas City’s World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986, the Royals failed to return to the MLB post season until its World Series run a season ago. For those counting, that’s a 28-year playoff drought that lasted from 1986-2014. Meanwhile, the Mets have always had the reputation as the Yankees’ little brother in New York, a distinction that isn’t likely to change any time soon (if ever).

Yet, the Mets and Royals have resurrected themselves into contending franchises eagerly anticipating their first World Series championship since the 1980’s. Below is a preview of the 2015

On July 4, Queens’ team had a 41-41 record. After Independence Day, the Mets went 49-31 to close the regular season with the momentum needed to make a deep playoff run. New York’s other team won the NL East by seven games over the Washington Nationals with a 90-72 record.

The Metropolitans success continued into the postseason as they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games in the NLDS. The Mets followed that series with a four-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS.

The Mets haven’t been an offensive juggernaut in the postseason, but their offense has been effective. New York ranked 28th as a team out of 30 ball clubs in batting in the regular season (.244 average). Their offense has dipped below that mark this postseason as the Mets are batting just .235 as a team. Nevertheless, the Mets had the most at bats of any team in the National League this postseason (289) and the most hits of any NL team with 68. Although the Mets haven’t hit for average, the key to their success has been timely home runs (cough, cough Daniel Murphy). So far, the Mets have hit 14 dingers in the

Yet, Volquez has been one of Kansas City’s better starting pitchers in the 2015 playoffs as Yordano Ventura and Johnny Cueto have also struggled. Volquez started Game 1 of the Royals’ ALCS matchup with Toronto, and he could be the starter in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday. Volquez leads the Royals in walks this postseason (12), and if he can find a way to limit the Mets’ free passes to first base, Kansas City should be in good shape when he takes the mound.

Alcides Escobar

Alcides Escobar has been the Royals best hitter in the 2015 postseason. Since the regular season concluded, Escobar is batting .386 with a team-leading 17 hits. The Royals leadoff hitter has been on base more than 40 percent of the time following his postseason plate appearances, and he’s clearly been the ignitor for the Kansas City offense. Escobar sets the tone for the Royals offensively as well as defensively. The Kansas City shortstop leads the team with 33 defensive assists this postseason, which helped him earn ALCS MVP honors.

New York